Anguilla Company Formations
Anguilla, which separated from Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1981, is a British Overseas Territory. It enjoys a high degree of political and economic stability and a well-regulated financial services industry. The 35-square-mile island has a population of over 16,000 people, who are predominantly Afro-Caribbean. Anguilla is located just over one hundred miles east of Puerto Rico, close to the British Virgin Islands.
The Anguilla Commercial Online Registration Network (ACORN), which went live in 1998, facilitates the incorporation of companies such as international business companies (IBCs) and limited liability companies (LLCs) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the world. Companies can register through a licensed company manager or trust company, or via an approved overseas agent.
For further information, please visit the government website.
Law and Taxation
Anguilla is a common law jurisdiction, supplemented by local statutes enacted by the locally elected House of Assembly. In 1994, with the British government’s technical assistance and funding, corporate and financial legislation was enacted. This was followed by amendments in 1998 and 2000, and in 2006 when the Custody of Bearer Shares Regulations were introduced.
Businesses incorporated in Anguilla are governed by either the Companies Ordinance 1994 or the International Business Companies Act (amended in 1998 and 2000).
Anguilla is a tax-neutral jurisdiction, with all companies registered benefiting from zero tax on profits, income and gains.
Corporate Requirements
Chinese character names are permitted and can be included on a company’s Certificate of Incorporation.
IBCs are required to have at least one director, which can be an individual or company. A company secretary is not mandatory, and there is no requirement for this office or the office of the director to be held locally. Company meetings can be held outside Anguilla; they can also be held by telephone or other electronic means.
Companies must have at least one shareholder, who may hold registered or bearer shares. If the company is an IBC, under the Custody of Bearer Shares Regulations, all bearer shares must be held by a custodian: all bearer shares of an IBC incorporated before 23 November 2006 were required to be converted to registered shares or passed to a custodian on or before 31 December 2010; an IBC incorporated on or after 23 November 2006 that issues a bearer share must deliver the share to a custodian who has agreed to hold the share.
All companies must have a registered office and a registered agent in Anguilla. IBCs do not have to file any annual returns, but need to pay an annual fee. Details of directors and shareholders are not on any public record; however, these details must be kept at the registered office of the company.
Although Anguilla ordinary resident companies can be used for offshore purposes, IBCs are often preferable when a company does not intend to conduct business in Anguilla. This is because IBCs are easy to incorporate and there are limited reporting requirements.
Local Infrastructure
Anguilla has a well-developed financial and legal centre, with major accounting firms, numerous law practices and banks represented on the island. Communications facilities in Anguilla are well developed, with international direct dialling, mobile connections, fax, modem, internet and dedicated email service lines available.
Our Services
Vistra can incorporate a company with your choice of name and confirm the availability of names in advance.
All companies are provided with a complete company kit, including share certificates, four copies of the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, statutory registers, a common seal, a company chop, and a Certificate of Guarantee of Quality. In addition, we can assist you in obtaining Certificates of Good Standing and other certificates of corporate existence as well as other relevant post-incorporation services.
